The crashed Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft in Ahmedabad, India, last month. Credit...Adnan Abidi/Reuters
By Jenny Gross
July 22, 2025, 9:22 a.m. ET
In light of last month's devastating crash that resulted in 260 fatalities, Air India has concluded its inspection of Boeing aircraft and found no issues with the locking mechanisms of their fuel switches. This specific equipment has come under scrutiny after an Air India Boeing 787-8 jet crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad, India, while en route to London.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau in India is currently leading an investigation to determine the crash's cause, which may take considerable time to finalize. Initial reports indicate that the fuel switches, which are critical for maintaining engine fuel supply, transitioned from their “RUN” position to “CUTOFF” just before the aircraft's descent. Safety experts suggest that the switches likely did not move on their own due to the presence of locking mechanisms designed to prevent such unintentional action.
In response to the tragic events, Indian regulators mandated inspections of the fuel switches on all Boeing airplanes operated by local airlines. Air India's statement confirmed that they had carried out precautionary checks of these mechanisms and reported no anomalies.
The incident involving Air India Flight 171 on June 12 marked a harrowing moment, where both engines lost fuel supply one after another, causing the plane to begin descending rapidly. The preliminary investigation noted an alarming conversation between the pilots where one inquired about the cutoff action, indicating an unexpected and uncoordinated occurrence in the cockpit. Despite attempts to restore fuel flow, the aircraft failed to regain sufficient power before crashing.
Mujib Mashal contributed reporting from New Delhi. Jenny Gross is a reporter for The Times covering breaking news and other topics.
By Jenny Gross
July 22, 2025, 9:22 a.m. ET
In light of last month's devastating crash that resulted in 260 fatalities, Air India has concluded its inspection of Boeing aircraft and found no issues with the locking mechanisms of their fuel switches. This specific equipment has come under scrutiny after an Air India Boeing 787-8 jet crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad, India, while en route to London.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau in India is currently leading an investigation to determine the crash's cause, which may take considerable time to finalize. Initial reports indicate that the fuel switches, which are critical for maintaining engine fuel supply, transitioned from their “RUN” position to “CUTOFF” just before the aircraft's descent. Safety experts suggest that the switches likely did not move on their own due to the presence of locking mechanisms designed to prevent such unintentional action.
In response to the tragic events, Indian regulators mandated inspections of the fuel switches on all Boeing airplanes operated by local airlines. Air India's statement confirmed that they had carried out precautionary checks of these mechanisms and reported no anomalies.
The incident involving Air India Flight 171 on June 12 marked a harrowing moment, where both engines lost fuel supply one after another, causing the plane to begin descending rapidly. The preliminary investigation noted an alarming conversation between the pilots where one inquired about the cutoff action, indicating an unexpected and uncoordinated occurrence in the cockpit. Despite attempts to restore fuel flow, the aircraft failed to regain sufficient power before crashing.
Mujib Mashal contributed reporting from New Delhi. Jenny Gross is a reporter for The Times covering breaking news and other topics.
